Look at the Englishman now, sir." The captain turned at last.

The frigate was a hopeless wreck.

All three of her masts had gone by the board; she had run full on the rocky ledge of the shoal at the mouth of the channel.

The wind had risen until it blew a heavy gale; no boat, no human being, could live in such a sea.

The waters rushed over her at every sweep, and she was fast breaking up before them.